Becoming a god by following the natural order and seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune.

Chapter 66 Overwhelming Power over Changshan!

At this moment, the magistrate Lin Shou was about to burst out of his chest with anger.

The balance of power he had carefully maintained was completely shattered overnight.

As the magistrate of Changshan County, what he most desired was a system of checks and balances between Wu Kuang, Chen Sheng's faction, and the three major families. Only in this way could he, as the magistrate, navigate among the various forces with ease and demonstrate his authority.

To this end, he did not hesitate to suppress the Yang family in order to facilitate a marriage alliance between Chen Sheng and the Yang family, with the aim of dividing and balancing them, and ultimately achieving a delicate balance.

But now, all of this has been completely destroyed by Chen Sheng's ruthless methods.

The Gao family was completely wiped out, and Chen Sheng, catching him off guard, directly assumed the position of commander-in-chief of the military camp, taking control of the county's military power. Now, the power of Chen and Wu has completely overwhelmed the local strongmen.

After all, with the Gao family destroyed, the prestige that the three major families had maintained for many years would also be lost in an instant.

This is exactly the situation that Lin Shou least wanted to see.

Because if Chen and Wu gain too much power, his authority as the county magistrate will inevitably be suppressed.

"The entire Gao family has been wiped out. Commander Chen, you have some ruthless methods." Lin Shou's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone filled with suppressed anger.

“The Gao family colluded with river bandits, intending to rebel. They deserve to die, but I do not think their actions were ruthless.”

Chen Sheng's expression remained unchanged, and his tone was calm, "Compared to those people who have been oppressed by the Gao family for many years, this is just what they deserve."

Upon hearing this, Lin Shou's eyes widened in surprise.

How dare Chen Sheng talk back to him like that?

Do they still have any sense of hierarchy or respect?
"you"

Just as Lin Shou was about to reprimand him, he saw Wu Kuang slowly walk out of the Gao residence.

"Commander Chen is right."

Wu Kuang's voice was steady and powerful as his gaze swept over Huang Dongchun and Yang Yi: "The Gao family's extermination was a just punishment. How can Magistrate Lin, as the county's official in charge, speak in favor of these traitors?"

Then, he changed the subject and looked coldly at Huang and Yang: "And you two, you dared to turn your swords against the government troops just now. Could it be that the Huang and Yang families are also planning a rebellion?"

Wu Kuang was not uninvolved in the annihilation of the Gao family.

In fact, he had already personally gone to the Gao residence to oversee things before Chen Sheng took action, in order to prevent any unforeseen events.

He just hadn't expected that Chen Sheng could so cleanly and efficiently deal with the two martial artists of the Gao family at the Marrow Transformation Realm—although one was a newcomer and the other was elderly, it still demonstrated Chen Sheng's astonishing strength.

Therefore, in the following actions, Wu Kuang chose to delegate authority and not interfere, focusing his attention on the Gao family's wealth.

If the Huang and Yang families had dared to make a move, he would have seized the opportunity and perhaps even wiped them out. Unfortunately, Lin Shou arrived too quickly, disrupting his plans.

Upon seeing Wu Kuang appear, Yang Yi and Huang Dongchun's expressions changed drastically.

They then realized that if they had been provoked by Chen Sheng and attacked, things would likely have turned out badly today.

Although he didn't know Wu Kuang's exact strength, a martial artist at the Marrow Transformation Realm transferred from the military was no easy opponent. Huang Dongchun was even secretly glad that Yang Yi had stopped him in time.

Otherwise, the consequences would be unpredictable.

After all, in broad daylight, fighting with government troops, regardless of whose fault it was, they could not escape their responsibility.

This is the authority of the government.

Lin Shou frowned upon hearing this: "County Commandant Wu, now is not the time to pursue these matters. I only want to know if you still regard me as your county magistrate! Rashly deploying troops and wiping out entire families at will, what will the people think if word gets out? Does the government still uphold the law!"

"The Gao family colluded with river bandits, and the evidence is irrefutable. If we don't wipe them out, are we going to let them continue to harm the people?"

Wu Kuang did not back down at all. "Besides, I have already informed Magistrate Lin in advance. Furthermore, as the County Commandant of Changshan, my duty is to apprehend bandits and suppress rebellions. Even if Magistrate Lin reports to the prefectural city, I have a clear conscience!"

The two, who had once maintained a facade of tacit understanding, were now locked in a fierce confrontation. Both knew that with the Gao family destroyed, the Huang and Yang families would also be in grave danger, and the next step would be for the two of them to vie for actual control of Changshan County.

"Good, good, good!"

Lin Shou, furious, laughed and said "good" three times. "Since that's the case, then let the officials of the prefecture decide!"

He turned to leave, knowing full well that staying would only embolden Chen and Wu.

However, as soon as he turned around, he was blocked by a group of soldiers from the armed forces camp—the very same officers and soldiers who had quietly assembled when the situation was tense just moments before, led by Sun Yuanliang and Cheng Yanhua.

"Get out of the way!" Lin Shou shouted coldly.

To his surprise, Cheng Yanhua looked at Chen Sheng, while Sun Yuanliang looked at Wu Kuang, and neither of them showed any intention of making way immediately.

"presumptuous!"

Chen Sheng glanced at the two of them and said, "Hurry up and make way for the magistrate!"

Upon receiving Chen Sheng's order, Cheng Yanhua and Sun Yuanliang stepped aside to make way.

But such an arrogant attitude and control over the military camp had already made Lin Shou's face turn ashen. He turned back and gave Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang a deep look before leaving with a few constables.

Magistrate Huang Dongchun wanted to call out to Lin Shou, but Yang Yi hurriedly stopped him.

Even the county magistrate suffered a setback; their continued presence would only bring further humiliation.

With the Gao family destroyed, Chen Sheng completely seized control of the military camp, and they all realized that the enemy's strength far surpassed that of their two families.

"Please remember this, both of you."

Chen Sheng said calmly, "The Gao family has committed the heinous crime of treason. If anyone dares to harbor the remnants of the Gao family, and the authorities find evidence of their crimes, they will be punished as accomplices. Don't say you weren't warned."

"I have taken Commander Chen's instructions to heart."

Yang Yi forced a smile and turned to leave.

Although Huang Dongchun was unwilling, he did not dare to act rashly and could only follow closely behind with a cold face.

Watching the Huang and Yang families leave, Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang exchanged a smile.

After enduring so much, today we can finally hold our heads high.

When the Gao family fell, Chen Wu ate his fill.

This time, they really made a fortune.

At the same time, news of the Gao family's annihilation swept through Changshan County like a whirlwind.

In the streets and alleys, in teahouses and taverns, everyone was talking about this earth-shattering news.

Some say they saw soldiers storm the Gao family mansion, others say they heard screams coming from inside, and still others say the blood of the Gao family flowed into the streets.

As a result, Chen Sheng's name spread throughout the streets and alleys.

Some say he single-handedly fought against two top experts from the Gao family; others say that with a single order, the Huang and Yang families dared not act rashly; still others say that he now commands a large army, and even the county magistrate has to give him some leeway.

Chen Sheng, who had taken control of the military power of the entire county, suddenly became very powerful and influential, almost dominating the entire Changshan. In terms of prestige, he was no less than Wu Kuang and Lin Shou.

This once unknown commander of the northern city has now become a pivotal figure in Changshan County, and all of this has happened in just a few months.

Many people realized that the power structure of Changshan County seemed to have been quietly rewritten from this moment on.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

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